When we asked you to pick up the phone and call your Representative in Congress to ask about his or her vote on this issue, you did, filling out a “public whip count” to provide some accountability for who voted to weaken Congress’ ethics watchdog.

Thank you to each and every one of you who spoke up and called Congress today. Journalist Robert Costa reported that most Members told him a blizzard of angry constituent calls was the most important factor in getting the House to sideline the amendment.

As New America fellow Lee Drutman (and former Sunlighter) highlighted, the preservation of OCE is a promising sign. Effective reporting that reminds politicians that the public still cares about ethics standards and credible institutions is a wonderful start to 2017.

While it’s important to celebrate a victory today, however, it does not mean that anyone should rest on these laurels. Keep in mind that the President-Elect and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy objected only to the timing of this effort to weaken what Trump termed an “unfair” institution, not its intent.

Today’s outcome is likely to be followed with another “reform” effort that could reduce the independence or authority of OCE later this year, perhaps as early as April. While OCE has been preserved for now, we’re continuing our Public Whip Count on whether Members of Congress voted to weaken OCE.

Your voice in Washington mattered today, however, demonstrating that the public does care about ethics in Congress if watchdogs and media can work together to inform and activate people to be civically involved. Please stay engaged.